Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games) Hardcover – March 18, 2025

A Triumphant Return to Panem – Suzanne Collins Does It Again!As a longtime fan of The Hunger Games series, Sunrise on the Reaping exceeded all my expectations and pulled me right back into the world of Panem with the same intensity, heart, and thought-provoking depth that made the original books unforgettable. Suzanne Collins has crafted another masterpiece, blending gripping action, layered characters, and rich storytelling into a novel that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.The story dives into the dark complexities behind the 50th Hunger Games, offering a powerful look at survival, rebellion, and the human spirit. Collins’ writing is as sharp and evocative as ever, delivering a narrative that’s impossible to put down. Fans of the original trilogy will appreciate the clever connections and emotional beats that deepen our understanding of the world and its characters.Sunrise on the Reaping is not just a worthy addition to the Hunger Games universe—it’s a must-read for anyone who has ever been captivated by the power, pain, and resilience woven throughout Panem’s history. I absolutely loved it!

# Sunrise on the Reaping - Review"Sunrise on the Reaping" opens on the morning of the reaping ceremony where Haymitch becomes the tribute from District 12. What stands out most in this novel is the thoughtful character development of Haymitch, allowing readers to understand the man who later mentors Katniss and Peeta.The narrative structure follows a familiar path similar to the first Hunger Games book—progressing from the Reaping ceremony to training, then to the arena, and finally to the aftermath of the Second Quarter Quell (the 50th Hunger Games). As a follow-up to "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," this book effectively demonstrates President Snow's increasing brutality and offers insight into how he maintains his iron grip on power.What's particularly noteworthy is how Collins reveals the origins of events that later unfold in "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay." The author subtly illustrates how the seeds of a dictator's defeat are planted long before they bear fruit—a compelling theme throughout the series.This entry stands as one of the most compelling in the series, largely due to the deeper understanding it provides of Haymitch's character. Collins once again excels at demonstrating the substantial human cost of war, a consistent and powerful theme across her work.

First thing I'd want everyone to know? Excellent book! Read it!I'm not a fan of sequels. I cringe when I hear one is coming out; especially if it is a follow-up to a book or movie I REALLY enjoyed. I had the same reaction to the Hunger Games sequels when they were announced even though I have no doubts about the talents of Suzanne Collins. It would not have been the first franchise that went to the well too often, as the saying goes.The first sequel/prequel, BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, was a good book, but not a favorite of mine. I had no empathy or a great deal of interest in how young Snow became what he was by the time of the original trilogy. The ugliness and brutality of the games' origins before their evolution to the pomp and pageantry of the later games was fascinating and unexpected. It was the final chapters and the epilogue when the characters eventually grabbed me the hardest.On the other hand, SUNRISE ON THE REAPING, earned my investment in the story and the characters from the start. Part of that was probably my existing empathy for the character of Haymitch. While avoiding spoilers, on a wide scale, the book made a beautiful bridge between the 10th games in THE BALLAD and the era of the 74th and 75th games of Mockingjay Trilogy. At a personal level, the tragedies of Haymitch's story were revealed. Haymitch's story gives the character so much more dimension; and some other characters we've met before.Readers will see the Haymitch of the Hunger Games trilogy in a slightly different, more painful light without retconning the character. Once again, the epilogue in SUNRISE added insights and heartfelt "Oh, Wow!" moments for me.The original characters will always be my favorites and the focus of the Hunger Games. SUNRISE ON THE REAPING is a fully actualized story that could stand on its own merit, but it just finds its own place in the series so perfectly, without creating inconsistencies (as we have seen with so many other prequels and sequels) or diminishing the central characters of the original trilogy that made the stories so popular in the first place. (Yeah, lookin' at you, Terminator)I hope the upcoming movie lives up to it.Highly recommended.

I highly recommend reading the books in the order published, the trilogy first, then the Ballad and finally this, otherwise is a big spoiler and can’t give you the emotional turmoil that it was intended with.I read a lot and I haven’t suffered like this in a long long time, if ever. Wonderfully written, I think also the time between publications has made the characters more embedded in memory and when they are mentioned here it’s even more heartfelt, like hearing about an old friend.I’m always weary of sequels but this definitely is for the story’s and maybe the authors’ sake, not the money. The level of detail is amazing, and how she is woven everything is exquisite. Somehow having an idea of what may happen because of the other books made me want to devour the book and also not rush to the end, although I couldn’t put it down, only read slower. And it truly is remarkable that, although knowing some things, nothing is obvious, or predictable in the details or the way it unfoalds, that makes all the difference and the writing is such, that even if you wait for something is always thrilling, heartbreaking and has a twist or a detail I didn’t expect, even the epilogue has me in pain. A great writer without a doubt.